43. The Possession of Knowledge

Wisdom is a weapon to ward off destruction; it is an inner fortress which enemies cannot destroy.

Not to permit the mind to go where it lists, to keep it from evil, and to employ it in good, this is wisdom.

To discern the truth in every thing, by whomsoever spoken, is wisdom.

To speak so as that the meaning may easily enter the mind of the hearer, and to discern the subtlest thought which may lie hidden in the words of others, this is wisdom.

To secure the friendship of the great is true wisdom; it is (also) wisdom to keep (that friendship unchanged, and) not opening and closing (like the lotus flower).

To live as the world lives, is wisdom.

The wise are those who know beforehand what will happen; those who do not know this are the unwise.

Not to fear what ought to be feared, is folly; it is the work of the wise to fear what should be feared.

No terrifying calamity will happen to the wise, who (foresee) and guard against coming evils.

Those who possess wisdom, possess every thing; those who have not wisdom, whatever they may possess, have nothing.